Apple Launches Budget iPhone 16e

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On Wednesday morning, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, now positioned as the most affordable model in the company's current lineup. Serving as the successor to the 2022 iPhone SE, this new budget option breaks from tradition with a smaller price gap between Apple's entry-level and flagship devices. The iPhone 16e starts at $599, significantly closer to the $799 iPhone 16 released last fall. Pre-orders begin Friday, February 21, with availability starting the following Friday, February 28.

The iPhone 16e marks Apple's debut of its in-house C1 cellular modem. While the company has seen tremendous success with its M-series computer chips and A-series mobile processors, cellular modems represent new technical territory. If the C1 underperforms, users could face connectivity issues - a concern that recalls Apple's infamous "Antennagate" scandal with the iPhone 4's signal reception problems. Hopefully, the company has applied those hard-learned lessons to ensure reliable performance.

The iPhone 16e's design nearly mirrors the iPhone 14 from the front, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display with 2532x1170 resolution and 1,200-nit peak brightness - specifications that fall slightly short of the current iPhone 16. Notable upgrades include the Action button and USB-C port, though it lacks the Camera Control feature found on premium models.

The rear design distinguishes the iPhone 16e with a single 48MP camera, reminiscent of previous SE models. While sharing sensor technology with the iPhone 16's main camera, it omits advanced features like sensor-shift stabilization and enhanced portrait mode capabilities. The front-facing camera appears identical to higher-end models, complete with Face ID functionality.

Constructed with an aluminum frame and glass back, the iPhone 16e features Apple's original Ceramic Shield display protection - a notable step down from the latest version advertised as twice as durable. This raises questions about real-world durability, especially considering display wear observed in iPhone 16 reviews.

Internally, the iPhone 16e demonstrates Apple's product segmentation strategy. While equipped with an A18 chip like the standard iPhone 16, it features a reduced 4-core GPU instead of the 5-core variant. Despite this, it maintains the Neural Engine required for Apple Intelligence features.

At $599, the iPhone 16e represents a more modest discount compared to previous SE models like the $429 2022 version that shared its chip with flagship iPhones. While based on a newer design than past budget offerings, its positioning may struggle against compelling Android alternatives like the OnePlus 13R in the same price range - particularly for buyers not already committed to Apple's ecosystem.